Successes and Challenges for Oral Health in Schools

Why work with Schools? Children and youth population Health and learning integrally linked Improving graduation rates cost effective ways to reduce health disparities When public health and education sectors work together academic achievement and health improves

Helpful Resource “How Schools Work & How to Work with Schools: A Primer for Professionals Who Serve Children & Youth” National Association of State Boards of Education

Need for Oral Health It is estimated that 51 million school hours a year are lost due to oral health issues. Discomfort and self consciousness caused by oral health disease interferes with students’ ability to learn. Oral health concerns are the most common chronic disease in school aged children.

School nurses report students seek their help for a wide range of oral health issues –Dental caries –Tooth and oral pain –Problems with oral piercings –Orthodontic concerns Forty percent of school nurses report they encounter students who avoid smiling or laughing because of oral health problems.

School Nurses play a major role in Oral Health School nurses coordinate oral health education for students, parents and school staff. They are a resource for teachers for oral health curricula

School nurses conduct or facilitate oral health screenings and dental caries prevention programs They also assist families in locating and accessing treatment for oral health disease or dental injuries

School Nurse Survey 230 school nurses responded 60.9% did not provide oral health services 23.9% did provide oral health services 15.2% “other” Majority of the services provided were to elementary students

Who is providing the care? Dental Hygienists provided 75% of the care Dentists were involved in 25% Practitioners were from clinics, public health centers or other oral health programs

Identified Benefits Access to preventive care Identifying a dental home Educate child about oral disease prevention Early identification of dental problems Increased knowledge by parents about the importance of oral health

Challenges to providing oral health in schools Lack of community resources Sustainability Obtaining parental consent Time away from class Scheduling issues Space limitations

Why not? Don’t have the resources to add oral health services Don’t have the time Lack of support from administration Students already have access to care Other priorities

What would help? More community resources More parental support and better communications School support including additional staff time Better access to oral health providers in the community who will see students with dental needs

Finding Allies in the schools School Nurse Wellness team or coordinator Parents Principal PTA, PTSA

All it takes is a Champion!

Resources NASN and DentaQuest NASN Oral Health Forum

Comprehensive Health & Physical Education Standards and Prepared Graduate Competencies Movement Competency & Understanding Physical & Personal Wellness Emotional & Social Wellness Prevention & Risk Management PE Motor Skills & Patterns Movement Concepts Regular Physical Activity Health-Enhancing Fitness Level Responsible & Respects Self and Others Both Safety; Injury Prevention CHE Healthy Eating Healthy Relationships; Sexual & Reproductive Health Health Promotion Mental, Emotional, & Social Well-being Healthy Decisions; ATOD Prevention Healthy Relationships; Violence Prevention

Comprehensive Health Education Standards Standard: 2. Physical and Personal Wellness in Health - Kindergarten Concepts and skills students master: d. Explain positive outcomes from brushing and flossing teeth daily e. Demonstrate steps for proper brushing and flossing of teeth

Kathleen Patrick RN, MA, NCSN, FNASN Colorado Department of Education